This is the era of liposuction, botox treatment, face-lifts, skin stretching, and other synthetic treatments to achieve a good-looking (and hopefully healthy) figure. However, the point to be taken seriously is that nothing, not even the said services worth thousands of dollars, can beat a good diet. A healthy combination of food provides a strong protection from illnesses and supplies energy to do our daily activities.

What really is a good diet? Nutritionists always quarrel about such technical issues on whether the protein or carbohydrate content of the meal should be prioritized. But the truth is, lay people do not assess the nutritional value of their food in these terms, since there is no handy gadget to note how much calories a bunch of fries contains, and there is no counter in our stomach to determine the amino content of a chicken leg.

To simplify things, here are some useful pointers regarding the meals of the day that are universal and time-tested.

Breakfast

Many people, especially celebrities, confess to missing breakfast. What they may not be aware of is the fact that it is certainly damaging to skip breakfast. Some excuses include not having the time, the resources, or the talent and effort to cook.

Depending on the culture, breakfast is generally dominated by carbohydrate-rich food such as bread, pastry, rice or root crops. There is a reason for this. Carbohydrates provide the energy necessary for growth and daily functions. It must be the heaviest meal since it will be your fuel for the day ahead. To complement it, consume proteins in the form of milk, bits of meat, egg or cheese; and vitamins and minerals in the form of fruits and vegetables.

Lunch

Most dieticians say that ideally, lunch must be the reverse of breakfast, with more protein and some amount of carbohydrates. A vegetable side dish and a fruit dessert will ensure that there will be a reservoir of fibers to digest the proteins and carbohydrates of the first two meals.

Dinner

If you want to maintain a slim figure, it is necessary to cut down on dinner. A little amount of both protein and carbohydrates and a generous supply of fruits and vegetables will do the trick. A glass of milk before sleeping is a healthy way to end the day.

Snacks

Snacks must be taken in small amounts only. If possible, consume mostly fruits to be certain that they will not make you lose appetite for the next meal. A little bite of chocolate, a scoop of ice cream, or a gulp of wine will not hurt; but everything must be taken in moderation. If your stomach already hurts and you cannot walk upright, you’ve had more than enough.

# # # # #